Although Apple’s mixed reality headset launch is expected to be months away, some employees still doubt the device’s readiness, according to a report by The New York Times. Some employees have reportedly quit the project because they were unsure, but others are still skeptical about the headset’s success, especially considering the price of $3,000.
It is widely believed that Apple will unveil its headset at its Worldwide Developer Conference in June. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reports that Apple has demonstrated the headset to 100 Apple executives at the Steve Jobs Theater, California. This suggests that Apple is close to a public unveiling.
The Times indicates that there is internal turmoil surrounding the future of mixed reality headsets, despite the “glitzy” presentation. Although this is a common occurrence when a company ventures into a new product category (which Apple has done many times before), the Times claims that things are different this year.
“Internal skeptics question if the new device solves a problem.”
Reports says that “some internal skeptics” have doubted if the new device was a solution to a problem. The headset is not as clear-sighted as the iPhone and iPod, which both put digital music in people’s hands.
This uncertainty is partly due to a series of departures from the executive team of the product design team. The Times comments was started by Jony Ive in 2019, and was followed by the departure last year Evans Hankey. Apple hasn’t appointed a new head for industrial design since, and engineer Mike Rockwell was reportedly in charge of the headset’s development.
According to the Times employees are expressing doubts about Apple’s leadership and some workers are wondering if the company will delay the launch of its headset. However, it doesn’t appear that this will be the case. Sources tell the Times the company is still planning a June launch, and “headset manufacturing has begun” in order to reveal the headset in just a few more months.
In the months leading up the expected launch of the headset, the rumor mill was very active. Reports suggest that the headset could look like a pair of ski-goggles. It also features a physical crown which allows you to switch between VR and and a battery pack that fits in your pocket . Gurman believes Apple is working on a more affordable headset for developers.
